Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry

Abstract

Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) is a powerful tool for the determination of many elements in a variety of different sample matrices. With this method, liquid samples are injected into a radiofrequency (RF)‐induced argon plasma using one of a variety of nebulizers or sample introduction techniques. The sample mist reaching the plasma is quickly dried, vaporized, and energized through collisional excitation at high temperature. The atomic emission emanating from the plasma is viewed in either a radial or axial configuration, collected with a lens or mirror, and imaged onto the entrance slit of a wavelength selection device. Single‐element measurements can be performed cost‐effectively with a simple monochromator–photomultiplier tube (PMT) combination, and simultaneous multielement determinations are performed for up to 70 elements with the combination of a polychromator and an array detector. The analytical performance of such systems is competitive with most other inorganic analysis techniques, especially with regard to sample throughput and sensitivity.